“Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays because we believe that such celebrations displease God. Although the Bible does not explicitly forbid celebrating birthdays, it does help us to reason on key features of these events and understand God’s view of them.”

Children “do not feel deprived”

The site notes that children of their faith are rewarded in other ways instead.

“Like all good parents, Witnesses express love to their children throughout the year, including giving them gifts and having enjoyable gatherings. They try to follow the perfect example of God, who spontaneously gives good things to his children. Children of Witness parents do not feel deprived.”

Serena told Vogue last year, ahead of Olympia’s birth that “being a Jehovah’s Witness is important to me, but I’ve never really practised it and have been wanting to get into it. Alexis didn’t grow up going to any church, but he’s really receptive and even takes the lead. He puts my needs first.”